As they listened to the male wizard in the portrait report the latest news, the Headmaster's office once again fell into deathly silence.
The portraits all turned to look at Snape. They could not help sympathizing with the new headmaster, while also wondering how he would handle this.
They had not forgotten that Snape had once promised Dumbledore he would do everything in his power to keep Hogwarts' students safe.
Now was the time for him to fulfill that promise.
Snape paid no heed to the strange looks from the portraits. He turned to stare at the sleeping old man in the portrait hanging behind the desk.
"Things often turn out unexpectedly."
Seemingly sensing Snape's piercing gaze, Dumbledore opened his eyes and awoke from his feigned slumber.
"It certainly is unexpected," Snape said darkly. "I imagine it will not be long before they turn Hogwarts completely upside down."
"The situation is not as bad as you think," Dumbledore said reassuringly.
"No, it is very bad." The muscles in Snape's face twitched violently twice. "If they really establish that so-called Dumbledore's Army, given those brats' ability to keep secrets, the whole of Hogwarts will know about it before long. When that happens, do not expect this to end smoothly."
"Neither Carrow nor Parkinson is someone to be trifled with. Carrow in particular has hated Anderson and his Defense Association ever since Amicus Carro was killed by Anderson through Scrimgeour. What do you think she will do once she learns those students have formed Dumbledore's Army?"
It was no wonder Snape was so furious. They were all a bunch of troublemakers.
Whether it was Rubeus Hagrid, that reckless and stupid brute, or that brainless group of students led by Longbottom, every one of them was doing some foolish thing they believed to